Eaibroad-car coupliitgs



S. W. WOOD.

. Car Coupling.-

Patented Feb. 12, 1856..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

S. W. WOOD, OF WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

RAILROAD-CAR COUPLINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 14,265, dated February 12, 1856.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, S. W. VVOOD, of the city of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Couplings for Railroad- Carriages, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of the buffers of two cars, constructed and coupled after my improved method. Fig. 2, is a vertical longitudinal section of the same with the coupling rod in position. Fig. 3, is an end viewof one of the buffers. Fig. 4:, is a view of the coupling rod of wood with metal heads, detached, showing the peculiar manner in which the same is constructed, and Fig. 5, is a side elevation of the coupling rod constructed of metal or Wood as may be desired.

The same letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

The nature of my invention consists, in the peculiar manner of constructing the buffers of railroad cars, by which the same may be coupled and uncoupled from the platforms, instead of being compelled to stand between the approaching cars in order to direct the link in position. Also in the manner of connecting cars with a single rod placed in the bufiers fro-m their upper surfaces, and retained in position from their own gravity; and in the peculiar manner of constructing the connecting rod of wood with metal heads, or of solid metal or wood as may be fOLlIld. expedient.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my improved coupling for railway cars, I will proceed to a description of the same in detail.

A in the accompanying drawing, represents the bufiers detached from the cars with the coupling rod in position. From the upper surfaces of the buffers are formed cavities (a) for the reception of the heads (0) of the connecting rod (6). These cavities are oblong as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to permit the connecting rod to slide back and forth therein, in order that the buffers may come in contact and receive the shock of the approaching carsinstead of coming upon the heads of the connecting rod. That the connecting rod may adapt itself to the position of the cars when turning curves, the mouths of the buffers are bell shaped as in those of ordinary construction. To insort, and remove the connecting rod from diameter only, to admit the insertion of the arm or rod (6), and to allow of suflicient space for turning curves without bending or breaking said rod.

In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen, that in forming the cavities so as to receive the heads of the single connecting rod, and providing for said rod by slotting the bufiers from their cavities (a) to their faces, thus forming narrow openings (f) through which the rod (6) is droped into position, shoulders are formed against which the heads of the connecting rod are drawn when the cars are in motion.

The link rod (6) may be constructed of a single piece of wood with its ends made bell shaped, upon which are placed balls of metal forming the heads of the coupling rod. These heads are pierced with conical holes corresponding with the bell shaped ends of the rod (6), and in order to insert the rod (6), openings (1") are formed corresponding in diameter with the center or smaller part of said rod through which it is passed, when the head or ball (0) is drawn to the end or bell of the rod where it is wedged firmly in position. If desirable, the entire rod may be constructed of metal or wood as shown in Fig. 5. The openings through which the rod is dropped into its position may be formed from the side of the bufiers as shown in red lines Fig. 3. 7

Having thus fully described my improved mode of coupling railway carriages, what I claim therein as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- Constructing the bufiers of railway cars in such manner, that the coupling rod may be dropped into its place from the upper surfaces or sides, said connecting rod consisting of a single piece of wood or metal, being independent of, and not in any way fastened to the bufiers, while it is retained in position by its own gravity, substantially as herein described.

S. W. WOOD.

Witnessesz- CLEMT. S. STULL, B. WEST. 

